Thought today I would give you a gift.
In an earlier post on creating a Tickle File, I mentioned that it consists of files for 31 days, for the 12 months, and for future years.
I recently created a set of labels for myself, which I have also shared with some of my clients. So I thought, why not share them with you as well?
Please feel free to download and use the following Label documents:
These fit on the 1" x 2 13/16" labels that come 30 per sheet.
Since they are documents, you can go in and change the fonts and font colors to suit yourself. If you do change the font, you may have to change some of the font sizes as well.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label tickle file. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tickle file. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mental Clutter
Clutter isn't just the stuff laying around the house or work space. Clutter is also about what goes on in your mind.
Think about it. Your mind is a fantastic thing, but even it needs help. If you aren't organized in your space, your time and your to-do lists, guess who is going to try to remember all that?
Yup - your poor over-worked brain. The thing is, you may not even be aware of a lot of that because it is going on at a subconscious level. But you wonder why you're feeling tired and stressed, and why it's hard to work well even when it seems you have time.
How do you help your mind?
By creating a series of systems that you learn to trust. For example, if you have a tickler file where you keep all the items that need to be done on a certain day, and you have yourself trained into the habit of using it daily, then your mind heaves a sigh of relief because it knows it doesn't have to remember that anymore.
Think about it. Your mind is a fantastic thing, but even it needs help. If you aren't organized in your space, your time and your to-do lists, guess who is going to try to remember all that?
Yup - your poor over-worked brain. The thing is, you may not even be aware of a lot of that because it is going on at a subconscious level. But you wonder why you're feeling tired and stressed, and why it's hard to work well even when it seems you have time.
How do you help your mind?
By creating a series of systems that you learn to trust. For example, if you have a tickler file where you keep all the items that need to be done on a certain day, and you have yourself trained into the habit of using it daily, then your mind heaves a sigh of relief because it knows it doesn't have to remember that anymore.
Use What You Love & Enjoy
When you are looking for containers and items to get yourself organized, choose things that you enjoy and that give you pleasure.
For example, I collect glassware because it's something I enjoy. So I created a personal desk organizer from a square glass baking dish, a smaller square baking dish which works perfectly for post-it pads, and several crystal glasses that make great pencil holders for all the odds and sorts that I use frequently.
Remember the Tickle File I told you about in a previous post? Mine sits in this lovely ornamental lidded box on the edge of my desk where all the today items are right at the front where I can see them and easily reach them.
So what gives you pleasure? What would you enjoy using on a daily basis?
After all, if you are going to be using and looking at something everyday, why not make it something that gives you pleasure?
For example, I collect glassware because it's something I enjoy. So I created a personal desk organizer from a square glass baking dish, a smaller square baking dish which works perfectly for post-it pads, and several crystal glasses that make great pencil holders for all the odds and sorts that I use frequently.
So what gives you pleasure? What would you enjoy using on a daily basis?
After all, if you are going to be using and looking at something everyday, why not make it something that gives you pleasure?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Use a Tickle File
Okay, you say, what on earth is a "tickle file"? It's a reminder system that "tickles" your memory and makes it easy to remember what to do when.
What you will need for this system is a set of tabbed dividers or file folders from 1-31 for the days of the month, and a set of tabbed dividers or file folders for the months of the year. Here's the ones I use. (I've added an extra set of 8 tabs at the back for current projects.)
You can put these in a binder or in a desktop file holder or whatever works best for you. If you want to buy a tickle file already created for you, here's some options to check out.
Anything that needs to be done next month or some month later in the year, simply put into the appropriate month's section.
When the end of the month comes along, all your day sections should be empty. Now take all the items from the next month and put them into the appropriate days for the new current month.
Some people rotate the day and month files so that the current date or month is always at the front. That way they just need to grab the current date folder, put all those items in their inbox and away they go.
So what should or could you put in a tickle file?
Set a regular time of day to check your tickle file. Maybe first thing in the morning, or last thing at night when you are preparing for the next day's schedule. If you do that faithfully, then you can trust your tickle file to remind you and your mind can relax because it knows now that it doesn't have to keep all of those things in its active file.
What you will need for this system is a set of tabbed dividers or file folders from 1-31 for the days of the month, and a set of tabbed dividers or file folders for the months of the year. Here's the ones I use. (I've added an extra set of 8 tabs at the back for current projects.)
You can put these in a binder or in a desktop file holder or whatever works best for you. If you want to buy a tickle file already created for you, here's some options to check out.
- http://www.smead.com/Director.asp?NodeID=141&group=0&item=89235
- http://www.onlineorganizing.com/ProductsPage.asp?name=Accordion_Tickler_File_Sorter
Anything that needs to be done next month or some month later in the year, simply put into the appropriate month's section.
When the end of the month comes along, all your day sections should be empty. Now take all the items from the next month and put them into the appropriate days for the new current month.
Some people rotate the day and month files so that the current date or month is always at the front. That way they just need to grab the current date folder, put all those items in their inbox and away they go.
So what should or could you put in a tickle file?
- bills and invoices to pay
- birthday and anniversary cards (you might want to keep a monthly list of birthdays in your files too - keep each month's list in the previous month's file so you can prepare for the following month)
- tickets or reminders for events, shows or concerts
- reminders for any things that need to be done on certain days (for regular things like watering your plants - make a note on an index card and each time you use it, move the card to the next date that you need to do that item)
- travel documents
- checkbook for bill-paying dates
- warranties
- library book reminders
- home maintenance dates
- etc
Set a regular time of day to check your tickle file. Maybe first thing in the morning, or last thing at night when you are preparing for the next day's schedule. If you do that faithfully, then you can trust your tickle file to remind you and your mind can relax because it knows now that it doesn't have to keep all of those things in its active file.
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